You are in > manchester.com  > News > Cambodia accuses Thailand of sending troops to border

International affairs

Cambodia accuses Thailand of sending troops to border

24/07/2008

Cambodia has accused Thailand of sending troops to a shared border in a dispute over an ancient temple.

The two countries have both laid claim to a 1.8 square mile stretch along the border which houses the Preah Vihear temple.

"Thailand has continued to increase its military build-up," Khieu Kanharith, a spokesman for the Cambodia government, said.

"The situation is not easing," he added, claiming that Cambodia only had 800 soldiers along the border compared to 3,000 Thai troops.

The Thai foreign ministry, however, claims it only has 400 soldiers facing 1,700 Cambodian troops.

The temple was actually awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in The Hague in 1962, but Thailand has continually contested the ruling.